'The Lone Ranger' GIF: Johnny Depp's Tonto and his crow

Johnny Depp brings a new dimension to
"The Lone Ranger's" spirit warrior, Tonto, this summer with his special companion -- a bird that travels atop his head. In a haunting new animated GIF that debuted on the film's official Tumblr page, Depp tenderly cradles the bird in both hands, rocking ever so slightly to the rhythm of his own breath.

Depp recently explained the mysterious addition of the bird to his character's look in an
interview with EW. He tells the mag it was inspired by a Native American warrior painting produced by artist
Kirby Sattler. "I thought, 'Tonto's got a bird on his head,'" says Depp. "It's his spirit guide in a way. It's dead to others, but it's not dead to him. It's very much alive."

The crow looks very much alive in the animated GIF, that's for sure. So, what other suprises does Depp have in store for his revival of Tonto? Find out when "The Lone Ranger" hits theaters July 3.